Electrical plug in fragrance dispenser having a removable decorative sheath

ABSTRACT

An electrical plug in fragrance dispenser can include a removable decorative sheath. The dispenser can be configured so that, when the sheath is attached, an electrical outlet is completely covered. In this way, the dispenser will have the appearance of a more permanent decorative light fixture. The dispenser can also be configured to plug into two outlets of an electrical receptacle thereby increasing the stability of the dispenser when attached to the wall or other surface. The dispenser may also include an outlet so that the receptacle can still be used when the dispenser is secured overtop the receptacle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

Electrical plug in fragrance dispensers are electrical devices thattypically include a light bulb or other heating element for providingheat that melts wax or heats oil containing a fragrance. Thesedispensers are typically configured to plug into a wall outlet forpowering the light bulb or other heating element.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a typical prior art electrical plug infragrance dispenser 100. Dispenser 100 includes an electrical housing101 that is configured to plug into an electrical outlet 110. Dispenser100 also includes a decorative component 102 with a bowl-like topsurface in which wax or oil is placed. Decorative component 102 isconfigured to attach to electrical housing 101 so that the decorativecomponent surrounds a light bulb. In the configuration employed bydispenser 100, decorative component 102 extends upwardly from electricalhousing 101. However, in other configurations, the decorative componentmay extend downwardly from the electrical housing.

Various problems exist with these typical prior art electrical plug infragrance dispensers. For example, as is shown in FIG. 1, decorativecomponent 102 is relatively large and heavy. Because of this and thefact that electrical housing 101 is only secured to the wall by the twoor three prongs that insert into outlet 110, dispenser 100 can easily beknocked off the wall which may result in the spilling of the heated waxor oil.

For similar reasons, dispenser 100 may sag from outlet 110 which isaesthetically undesirable. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, in prior artdispenser designs, electrical housing 101 and at least portions ofoutlet 110 remain visible during use of dispenser 100. Therefore, eventhough decorative component 102 provides some aesthetic benefits, manyconsumers feel that the overall appearance of the dispenser isunsatisfactory.

Also, in many prior art dispenser designs, the decorative component isnot removable from the electrical housing. Therefore, if the consumerdesires a different decorative design, he or she must discard the entiredispenser rather than being able to replace only the decorativecomponent.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention extends to an electrical plug in fragrancedispenser having a removable decorative sheath. The dispenser can beconfigured so that, when the sheath is attached, an electrical outlet iscompletely covered. In this way, the dispenser will have the appearanceof a more permanent decorative light fixture. The dispenser of thepresent invention can also be configured to plug into two outlets of anelectrical receptacle thereby increasing the stability of the dispenserwhen attached to the wall or other surface. The dispenser may alsoinclude an outlet so that the receptacle can still be used when thedispenser is secured overtop the receptacle.

In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented as an electricalplug in fragrance dispenser comprising a housing having a rear surfacefrom which at least one set of electrical prongs, a front surface havinga socket for receiving a heating element, and opposing side surfacesalong which a groove extends. The dispenser also comprises a decorativesheath that includes a coupling component that is configured to slideinto the groove to couple the decorative sheath to the housing therebypositioning the decorative sheath over the housing.

In another embodiment, the present invention is implemented as anelectrical plug in fragrance dispenser comprising a housing having arear surface from which two sets of electrical prongs extend, the twosets of electrical prongs being positioned to allow the two sets ofelectrical prongs to be inserted into both outlets of a two outletelectrical receptacle, a front surface having a socket for receiving alight bulb, opposing side surfaces, a top surface, a groove that extendsalong the opposing side surfaces and the top surface, and a bottomsurface having an electrical outlet. The dispenser also comprises adecorative sheath that includes a coupling component that is configuredto slide into the groove to couple the decorative sheath to the housingthereby positioning the decorative sheath over the housing.

In another embodiment, the present invention is implemented as anelectrical plug in fragrance dispenser comprising a housing having arear surface from which at least one set of electrical prongs extend toallow the housing to be plugged into at least one outlet of anelectrical receptacle, a front surface that includes circuitry forproducing heat, opposing side surfaces, and a groove that extends alongthe opposing side surfaces. The dispenser also comprises a decorativesheath that includes a coupling component that is configured to slideinto the groove to couple the decorative sheath to the housing therebypositioning the decorative sheath over the housing.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a moreparticular description of the invention briefly described above will berendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not thereforeto be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example prior art electrical plug in fragrancedispenser;

FIG. 2A illustrates a front perspective view of an electrical plug infragrance dispenser in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a front view of the dispenser of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of the dispenser of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D illustrates a top view of the dispenser of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2E illustrates a bottom view of the dispenser of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2F illustrates a front, semi-transparent view of the dispenser ofFIG. 2A;

FIG. 2G illustrates a coupling component that can be included adecorative sheath to allow the sheath to be attached to the dispenser ofFIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A illustrates a front perspective view of a decorative sheath thatcan be used with the dispenser of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3B illustrates a rear perspective view of the decorative sheath ofFIG. 3A; and

FIG. 4 illustrates how a coupling component can be spaced from a rearsurface of a decorative sheath.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 2A-2G illustrate various views of an exemplary electrical plug infragrance dispenser 200 in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe present invention. Dispenser 200 generally comprises a housing 201that includes a groove 201 a that extends around upper and outersurfaces of the housing. As will be further described below, adecorative sheath can be coupled to housing 201 using a couplingcomponent 203 that slides into groove 201 a.

FIG. 2A provides a front perspective view of dispenser 200. As shown,groove 201 a is configured to receive coupling component 203 by which adecorative sheath can be secured to the housing as will be furtherdescribed below with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. In FIG. 2A, couplingcomponent 203 is shown partially inserted into groove 201 a toillustrate how the coupling component can be slid into the groove.Housing 201 also includes a light bulb socket 202 that allows a lightbulb 202 a to be secured to the housing.

Housing 201 includes a generally flat portion 201 b that extendsvertically from a protruding portion 201 c. In some embodiments, such asis shown in FIG. 2A, protruding portion 201 c can include a recessedportion 201 d in which socket 202 is positioned. In some embodiments,the transition between protruding portion 201 c and flat portion 201 bcan be curved as shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2B provides a front view of dispenser 200. Housing 201 can includea switch for operating light bulb 202 a. As shown in FIG. 2B, a switch204 is provided on a bottom surface of housing 201. Providing a switchon the bottom surface of housing 201 can be preferred in manyembodiments since the decorative sheath may cover the remaining portionsof housing 201. In FIG. 2B, housing 201 is shown without couplingcomponent 203.

FIG. 2C provides a side view of dispenser 200 which illustrates thathousing 201 incorporates two sets of prongs 205 a, 205 b which areconfigured to be inserted into both outlets of a standard electricalreceptacle. Because housing 201 includes two sets of prongs, 205 a, 205b, the housing can be more securely fixed to a wall or other surface.Unlike prior art dispenser designs which only provide a single set ofprongs, dispenser 200 therefore spreads the load caused by a decorativesheath or other decorative component between the two outlets. Also, byusing two sets of prongs, there is not a single connection point aboutwhich the housing will pivot thereby reducing the likelihood thatdispenser 200 will sag from the wall.

In some embodiments, one or both of prongs 205 a, 205 b may beadjustable to change the distance between the two sets of prongs therebyallowing dispenser 200 to be plugged into outlets of different sizes.For example, prongs 205 a can be configured to be slidable in a verticaldirection to adapt to different spacings between outlets. In someembodiments, one of prongs 205 a, 205 b can be configured as a dummyprong with the other prong providing power to socket 202.

FIG. 2D provides a top view of dispenser 200. As shown, groove 201 a canextend fully around the top surface and outside surfaces of housing 201.Therefore, when coupling component 203 is slide fully into groove 201 a,groove 201 a will provide structural support along three edges of thecoupling component to ensure that a decorative sheath is securely fixedto the housing as will be further described below.

FIG. 2E provides a bottom view of dispenser 200 which illustrates thathousing 201 can include an outlet 206. By providing outlet 206,dispenser 200 does not prevent a receptacle from being used while thedispenser is plugged into the receptacle. Housing 201 can includesuitable electrical components to interconnect one or prongs 205 a, 205b with outlet 206 while connecting the other of prongs 205 a, 205 b tosocket 202.

FIG. 2F provides a semi-transparent front view of dispenser 200 whencoupling component 203 is not inserted into groove 201 a and whiledispenser 200 is plugged into a standard receptacle. Thesemi-transparent view allows outlets 250 a, 250 b and a bottom edge of awall plate 250 c to be visible. Top corners of wall plate 250 c are alsovisible due to the rounded surface of housing 201. As shown, the size ofhousing 201 can be configured such that wall plate 250 c issubstantially covered. For example, the height of housing 201 can beapproximately 4.5 inches and the width can be approximately 2.6 inchesso that housing 201 will cover a standard 1 gang wall plate.

Coupling component 203 can have a greater height and width than housing201 so that the wall plate is fully covered. For example, in someembodiments, coupling component 203 can have a height of approximately 5inches and a width of approximately 3.5 inches so that the couplingcomponent (or more particularly, the decorative sheath that the couplingcomponent secures to the housing) can fully cover both standard andjumbo 1 gang wall plates. In this way, dispenser 200 can appear as anaesthetically pleasing lighting fixture rather than as a device pluggedinto an outlet. Of course, any other suitable size and/or shape ofdispenser 200 could also be provided to cover wall plates of differentsizes and configurations. Sizes and shapes that do not cover the wallplate can also be provided.

FIG. 2G illustrates a coupling component 203. As shown, couplingcomponent 203 has an inner shape that conforms to the shape of groove201 a. Coupling component 203 can have a thickness that is slightly lessthan the thickness of groove 201 a so that coupling component 203 issnuggly held within the groove while also allowing coupling component203 to be slid within the groove when necessary (e.g., when removing adecorative sheath). Alternatively or additionally, coupling component203 may include one or more protrusions or other structures whichinterlock with corresponding structures within or along groove 201 a.For example, one or more protrusions may be formed on a surface ofcoupling component 203 which snap into corresponding one or morerecesses within groove 201 a once coupling component 203 has been fullyslid into groove 201 a.

In some embodiments, the thickness of coupling component 203 may bereduced to allow coupling component 203 to slide easily within groove201 a which may facilitate removal of a decorative sheath from housing201. For example, it may be desirable to allow a decorative sheath to beremoved while containing hot wax, oil, or another substance. In suchcases, minimizing the friction between coupling component 203 and groove201 a (e.g., by configuring coupling component 203 with a smallerthickness than groove 201 a) can minimize the likelihood that the hotsubstance will be spilled during removal of the sheath. In suchembodiments, interlocking structures can preferably be provided tobetter secure coupling component 203 to housing 201 when fully insertedinto groove 201 a.

FIG. 3A illustrates a front perspective view of a decorative sheath 300that can be coupled to housing 201. Decorative sheath 300 includes adecorative outer surface 301 and a dish-shaped top surface 302 in whichwax, oil, or another fragrance-containing substance may be placed.Decorative sheath 300 is hollow to allow it to be inserted overtophousing 201. In this way, light bulb 202 can act as a heat source forreleasing fragrance from the substance placed within the top surface ofthe sheath.

FIG. 3B illustrates a rear perspective view of decorative sheath 300. Asshown, sheath 300 can incorporate coupling component 203 to allowdecorative sheath 300 to be coupled to housing 201. For example, whencoupling component 203 is secured within decorative sheath 300, thecoupling component can be slid into grove 201 a as is shown in FIG. 2A.In some embodiments, coupling component 203 can be integrally formedinto decorative sheath 301. Alternatively, coupling component 203 can bea separate component that is coupled to decorative sheath 301 (e.g., bysliding the coupling component into grooves on the inside surface of thesheath, by snapping the coupling component into a retaining structure onthe inside surface of the sheath, etc.).

Coupling component 203 is positioned along the back surface ofdecorative sheath 300 so that the decorative sheath will be near oragainst the wall or other surface when the coupling component isinserted into groove 201 a. In some embodiments, coupling component 203may be spaced a small distance from the back surface of decorativesheath 300 to ensure that the back surface of decorative sheath 300 ispositioned against the wall. For example, this small distance can beapproximately equal to the combined thickness of the back wall of groove201 a and a standard wall plate.

FIG. 4 provides an example of how a coupling component can be positioneda small distance from the back edge of decorative sheath 300. FIG. 4 isa bottom view of dispenser 200 when decorative sheath 300 is attached tohousing 201 and includes a wall plate 401 shown in dashed lines. Asshown, coupling component 203 is positioned a small distance from a rearsurface of decorative sheath 300. This distance is approximately equalto the combined thickness of the back wall of groove 201 a (labeled as402) and wall plate 401. Positioning coupling component 203 in thismanner will cause a portion 300 a of decorative sheath 300 to extendbeyond the back surface of housing 201 so that the portion is adjacentto a wall or other surface when housing 201 is plugged into a receptaclein the wall or other surface. This can allow decorative sheath 300 to beflush with the wall to make it appear as though dispenser 200 is afixture or sconce.

Dispenser 200 is only one example of an electrical plug in fragrancedispenser that is configured in accordance with the present invention.Dispensers of other shapes and sizes can also be provided. For example,a housing can be configured with different shaped and/or sizedprotruding and flat portions from what is shown in the figures. Inshort, the present invention should extend to any electrical plug infragrance dispenser that includes a groove for receiving a couplingcomponent to secure a decorative sheath to the housing and/or two setsof prongs for securing the dispenser to the wall or other structure.

Additionally, in some embodiments, a housing may include a groove thatdoes not extend along a top surface of the housing. For example, groove201 a may be configured to only extend along the opposing sides of thehousing. Also, in some embodiments, groove 201 a may not extend the fulllength of the sides.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.

What is claimed:
 1. An electrical plug in fragrance dispensercomprising: a housing having: a rear surface from which at least one setof electrical prongs; a front surface having a socket for receiving aheating element; and opposing side surfaces along which a grooveextends; and a decorative sheath that includes a coupling component thatis configured to slide into the groove to couple the decorative sheathto the housing thereby positioning the decorative sheath over thehousing.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the rear surface of thehousing is substantially flat.
 3. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein therear surface has a width greater than 2 inches and a height greater than4 inches.
 4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein two sets of electricalprongs extend from the rear surface to allow the housing to be securedto both outlets of a two outlet electrical receptacle.
 5. The dispenserof claim 1, wherein the front surface comprises a protruding portion anda flat portion that extends upwardly from the protruding portion, thesocket being formed on a top surface of the protruding portion.
 6. Thedispenser of claim 1, wherein the heating element is a light bulb. 7.The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the housing has a top surface alongwhich the groove extends.
 8. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein thecoupling component is integrally formed with the decorative sheath. 9.The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the coupling component is removablycoupled to the decorative sheath.
 10. The dispenser of claim 1, whereinthe coupling component is positioned at a rear surface of the decorativesheath.
 11. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the coupling component ispositioned a distance from a rear surface of the decorative sheath. 12.The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the coupling component has a widthgreater than 3 inches and a height greater than 4.5 inches.
 13. Thedispenser of claim 1, wherein a top surface of the housing and a topinner surface of the coupling component are rounded.
 14. The dispenserof claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises an electrical outletthat is electrically connected to at least one set of the at least oneset of electrical prongs.
 15. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein thehousing further comprises a switch for controlling the socket.
 16. Thedispenser of claim 1, wherein the coupling component and the grooveinclude one or more interlocking structures for securing the couplingcomponent within the groove.
 17. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein thedecorative sheath includes a bowl-shaped top surface.
 18. The dispenserof claim 1, wherein the groove extends the full length of the opposingsides.
 19. An electrical plug in fragrance dispenser comprising: ahousing having: a rear surface from which two sets of electrical prongsextend, the two sets of electrical prongs being positioned to allow thetwo sets of electrical prongs to be inserted into both outlets of a twooutlet electrical receptacle; a front surface having a socket forreceiving a light bulb; opposing side surfaces; a top surface; a groovethat extends along the opposing side surfaces and the top surface; and abottom surface having an electrical outlet; and a decorative sheath thatincludes a coupling component that is configured to slide into thegroove to couple the decorative sheath to the housing therebypositioning the decorative sheath over the housing.
 20. An electricalplug in fragrance dispenser comprising: a housing having: a rear surfacefrom which at least one set of electrical prongs extend to allow thehousing to be plugged into at least one outlet of an electricalreceptacle; a front surface that includes circuitry for producing heat;opposing side surfaces; and a groove that extends along the opposingside surfaces; and a decorative sheath that includes a couplingcomponent that is configured to slide into the groove to couple thedecorative sheath to the housing thereby positioning the decorativesheath over the housing.